John Schneider’s Determination to Hire Mike Macdonald
RENTON, Wash. — John Schneider, the general manager of the Seattle Seahawks, went to great lengths to meet with Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald regarding the team’s head coach vacancy. On January 28, while the Ravens prepared to face the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship, Schneider attended mass, praying for a Ravens loss to open up the opportunity for an interview. The NFL’s coaching hiring rules prevent interviews during the playoffs, making a Ravens defeat necessary for Schneider’s plans.
“This is heathen s—,” Schneider remarked humorously during a conversation with The Athletic. His prayers were answered when the Ravens lost to the Chiefs, allowing Schneider to interview Macdonald the following Tuesday in Baltimore. Just a day later, they officially hired him.
Macdonald’s Impressive Interview
“He absolutely crushed his interview,” Schneider said. “The first part of it, two hours felt like 20 minutes. It was just a really clear, purposeful, great plan.” Schneider had spent weeks preparing for Macdonald’s interview, and the coach delivered as expected. For Macdonald, this hiring marks the culmination of a challenging journey in his coaching career, nearly derailed several times, yet he persevered. At just 37 years old, Macdonald becomes the youngest head coach in the NFL, transitioning the Seahawks into a new era post-Pete Carroll.
A Journey Fueled by Passion
Macdonald’s story begins at the University of Georgia, where he was initially a finance major. Influenced by his high school coach to join the Cedar Shoals High School coaching staff, Macdonald quickly fell in love with coaching. Despite being on the path to a successful business career—graduating summa cum laude—football continued to pull at his heartstrings. “If I’m 40 years old one day and I didn’t pursue this, I’d be kicking myself,” he reflected.
Macdonald managed to join Georgia’s football coaching staff as a volunteer graduate assistant in 2010, taking out a $20,000 loan to support himself during this period. This decision proved to be a wise investment, leading to an opportunity with the Ravens’ scouting internship program. Although he made a misstep in his interview, it ultimately paved the way for his future success.
Rising Through the Ranks
After returning to Georgia in 2013 and briefly considering a consulting job at KPMG, Macdonald opted to seize a coaching internship with the Ravens. Within a year, he ascended to a defensive assistant position and quickly moved up to defensive backs coach, and later linebackers coach. His trajectory led to significant achievements, including serving as Michigan’s defensive coordinator before returning to the Ravens. Last season, the Ravens led the NFL in points allowed, sacks, and takeaways, positioning Macdonald as a prime candidate for head coach roles.
Despite interest from teams like the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and Tennessee Titans, Macdonald remained on the Seahawks’ radar. Schneider’s network praised Macdonald, and personal experiences, including a decisive Ravens victory over the Seahawks, solidified the decision when they finally met.
The Road Ahead
“To do this job the right way, you’ve got to serve your team,” Macdonald shared, acknowledging the importance of positively impacting those around him. With his determination to pursue coaching and avoid a more traditional career path, Macdonald has ensured he won’t have to wonder “what could have been” as he embarks on this new chapter with the Seahawks.
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Source and credits: www.nytimes.com
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